AF Canyon FHE

Monday was a perfect fall evening.  The colors of the changing leaves were a perfect backdrop to a cozy dinner over the fire.

The

Brigham City Dedication

Today Austin and I and the two older children attended the broadcast for the Brigham City Temple Dedication.  I made us some white handkerchiefs so that we could participate in the "Hosana Shout."  Afterwards Andy concluded, "That really was cool.  I felt the spirit and it seemed short."  I told the kids to put the handkerchief in their sock drawers, so that when it pops up every now and then they can remember their participation and prepare to go there someday soon.

(On our way home from Bear Lake a couple weeks ago I snapped this picture of the Brigham City Temple.)

Phase 1

I want to decorate the boys' room in an Americana theme.  Here is my first phase -- a wooden flag that we created via an idea from pinterest.  Next will be a gallery wall....

Hung

Finally, I convinced Austin to make me some frames for my favorite pictures of us (of course taken by Whitni).  He hung them about 10 minutes ago.  Then I snapped a picture of Eddie's first and second teeth.

Maisie's #7

What a big girl we have!  Maisie is 7!  She was a perfect darling her entire day, and she even had a real friends birthday party.

 Morning presents.

 I let her read instead of help with breakfast.

 Breakfast -- German pancakes with strawberries and cream.

 Cake -- we each decorated our own cupcakes.

 Next day -- Back-to-school birthday party.

Cake.

 14 girls.

Fun!  Fun!  Fun!

Flower Power

Today Maddie put a flower in my flour.  That's funny.

Labor-Day Weekend

Our friends from dental school, the Bells, invited us to their Bear Lake cabin to spend the holiday.  We spent most of the time outdoors.  Including hiking to Bloomington Lake, basking in the sun of the North Shore Beach, and some boating.  Our combined number of 12 kids, 11 and under, made the trip most comical.  

School Days

School is in session! Nick started kindergarten today and the older three started a week ago.  Nick was just a little scared this morning, but mostly brave.  He even wants to go back tomorrow.  My heart ached today, sending another child to school made me a bit emotional.  I don't want to know how it will feel when they are grown; right now I am perfectly content living in my "hoarder house" while drowning in the chaos.